SVD Southern Province celebrates jubilee, foundation day

The Society of the Divine Word, also known by its Latin initials SVD (Societas Verbi Divini), marks September 8, 2007 as a day of celebration.

On this day, the Society will celebrate its 132nd Foundation Anniversary as well as the Silver Jubilee of the Philippine Southern Province. This day will also mark the launching of the Centennial Celebration of the SVD in the Philippines (1909–2009).

A concelebrated Holy Mass at the Main Chapel is slated for 5 p.m. with Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal presiding. Dinner follows at the Fr. Bernard Wrocklage Yard. Earlier in the day, the renovated Main Library will be blessed and named after Fr. Joseph Baumgartner, SVD. Fr. Baumgartner is currently living in retirement in Germany.

The basic education departments will have no class on September 8, however in the tertiary level it will remain a regular working and school day. September 8 is also the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The SVD has administered the University of San Carlos since 1935.

Author: P. J. Lim
07 / September / 2007

Fr. Salazar to speak at international research conference

Fr. Salazar to speak at international research conference
University President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD is slated to speak on “Ethical Values in Research Programs and Processes” as part of the distinguished line up of speakers in the International Conference on Research in Higher Education Institutions.

The conference will be held on October 24–27, 2007 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

The conference is organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and has as its theme “The Vital Role of Higher Education Research Towards Sustainable Development.”

Information regarding the conference may be retrieved from http://ched.mozcom.com.

Author: Staff
07 / September / 2007

Baumgartner Central Library re-opens

Baumgartner Central Library re-opens

After two months of pounding, curing, painting and polishing, the University community will witness the re-opening of the Fr. Joseph Baumgartner Central Library at the 2nd floor, Dingman Building, Main Campus on September 8, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.

The ribbon cutting will be graced by the Board of Trustees Chair Engr. Jesus N. Alcordo, who will be assisted by Trustee Dr. Pericles P. Dakay and University President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD. University Chaplain Fr. Samuel D. Clarin, SVD and Main Campus Chaplain Fr. Ruel S. Gado, SVD, will officially bless the Fr. Joseph Baumgartner Central Library and dedicate it to a priest who was instrumental in the development of the library through his untiring energy and enthusiasm.

Fr. Baumgartner was not a librarian by training, but he built an excellent collection of books in all fields of knowledge which earned recognition for the university library as one of the best libraries in the country.

The Central Library will open its doors for service to students and faculty on September 10, 2007.

Author: Staff
07 / September / 2007

USC: One of the top 20 universities in the Philippines according to CHED and PRC

The University of San Carlos (USC) placed 11th on the list of Top 20 Universities and Colleges in the Philippines. USC is one of the only two schools from the Visayas region in the top 20. The other one is Silliman University in Dumaguete City, which placed at no. 4.

According to the Professional Regulations Commission(PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), here is a list of the Top 20 Universities and Colleges in the Philippines, based on the average passing rate in the BOARD EXAMINATIONS OF ALL COURSES.

1. University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus /Luzon)

2. University of the Philippines (Los Banos Campus/ Luzon)

3. University of the Philippines (Manila Campus /Luzon)

4. Silliman University (Dumaguete City / Visayas)

5. Ateneo deDavao University (Davao / Mindanao)

6. Ateneo de Manila University (Manila /Luzon)

7. University of Sto. Tomas (Manila / Luzon)

8. Mindanao State University (Iligan Institute ofTech/ Mindanao)

9. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (Manila/Luzon)

10. Saint Louis University (Baguio City / Luzon)

11. University of San Carlos (Cebu City / Visayas)

12. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro / Mindanao)

13. Mindanao State University (Main / Mindanao)

14. Urios College (Butuan City / Mindanao)

15. Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Manila/ Luzon)

16. De La Salle University (Manila / Luzon)

17. Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila / Luzon)

18. Adamson University (Manila /Luzon)

19. Central Mindanao University (Bukidnon/Mindanao)

20. University of Southern Philippines (Davao /Mindanao)

Source

Judge Francisco A. Seville Jr., named outstanding MTC judge

Law professor named outstanding MTC judge
The Society for Judicial Excellence of the Supreme Court of the Philippines has recently named Judge Francisco A. Seville Jr. as the Outstanding Municipal Trial Court Judge in the 2007 Search for Outstanding Judges and Clerks of Court.

Judge Seville is the presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 7. He was cited specifically for his exception performance in the judiciary. Judge Seville is professor of law in the USC College of Law, handling Problem Areas in Legal Ethics and Practice Court.

Author: J. J. Largo
07 / September / 2007

College of Law hosts forum on anti-trafficking in person

College of Law hosts forum on anti-trafficking in person
The USC College of Law will host a lecture-forum on “Anti-Trafficking in Person” on September 12, 2007 beginning at 6 pm at the Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch Hall, Main Campus.

The invited speaker is T. March Bell who is a Senior Special Counsel for Trafficking Issues in the Civil Rights Division at the United States Department of Justice. He will be visiting the Philippines specifically to speak about this issue. Mr. Bell has an extensive experience in criminal litigation, and in providing leadership on trafficking policy and program design. Concurrently, he serves as coordinator with the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the Department of Justice on international anti-trafficking initiatives and policy issues.

This lecture-forum is made possible through the help of the United States Embassy in Manila.

After Mr. Bell’s lecture, reactions will be given by a select panel composed of Hon. Marilyn L. Yap, Prosecutor Pepita Jane A. Petralba, and Atty. Samson Inocencio Jr. representing insights on the topic from the perspective of the Judiciary, Prosecution and a Non-Governmental Organization.

Author: J. J. Largo
07 / September / 2007

Mexican envoy talks of shared past, issues facing Mexico and RP

Her Excellency, Madame Erendira Araceli Paz Campos, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Mexico to the Philippines, visited the University this morning where she addressed students and faculty on the shared cultural heritage and current areas of common concern between her country and the Philippines.

In her speech at Theordore Buttenbruch Hall, the Ambassador traced the colonial experience of Mexico and the Philippines, reminding the audience that globalization began with the Galleon Trade that was carried out for two centuries by the two former colonies of Spain.

Ambassador Campos

Moving beyond the past, Ambassador Campos also delved on the issues of migration and migrant workers that confront both countries today. She expressed her agreement to growing concerns of how to ensure that migrant workers are protected abroad. At the same time, she also hoped that both the Philippines and Mexico would be able to develop further so that the local labor force would stay rather than leave for opportunities abroad.

The ambassador, flanked by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD (right) and Consul Louis G. Ugarte, stand at attention as the Pambansang Awit is sung.

The ambassador, who was met by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD, the vice-president for academic affairs, also gave the audience a briefing about Mexico, its tourist sites, and opportunities for graduate studies, among others.

Joining Fr. Gapuz during the lecture at Buttenbruch Hall were Dr. Elizabeth Remedio, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the chairs of the various departments of the college. Mr. Louis Ugarte, the honorary consul of Mexico in Cebu, also joined the ambassador during her brief visit.

Author: J. Eleazar R. Bersales with Zona Saniel-Amper
04 / September / 2007

New heritage group Hambin holds lecture on religious movements

Hamiling Binilin (Hambin), a newly formed heritage advocacy group, held its third monthly lecture last August 26, 2007 at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu with Prof. Laila Labajo, a faculty member of the Department of History, as speaker. Labajo presented her paper entitled, “Kalihukan sa Tinuohan: Reformative and Dissident Religious Movements in Cebu: 1900-1990.”

Labajo discussing her work on religious movements at the Fr. Virgilio Yap Memorial Gallery of the Cathedral Museum of Cebu.

In her lecture, Labajo tackled the origin, growth, beliefs, and practices of 14 religious movements that have sprouted in Cebu. According to her, religious movements came into existence as a result of the desire of followers for a new way of life after undergoing extreme stress posed by many factors experienced during the early 1900s up to the 1990s.

This latest lecture is the third since Hambin began tackling fascinating aspects of Cebuano culture and history. In June, Dr. Louie Nacorda, another Hambin member, examined whether Tamblot, the Boholano religious leader was male or female. Trizer Dale Mansueto, a faculty member of Department of History and the Department of Languages and Literature, followed Nacroda;s lecture a month later with a discussion on the construction of stone churches in Cebu as seen though the canonical Libro de Cargo y Data.

Hambin is composed of the first batch of graduates of the Certificate Course on Cebuano Heritage Studies initiated by the Department of History in tandem with the Cebuano Studies Center.

Other than Labajo, Nacorda and Mansueto, the group is also composed of Gavin Bagares, Ernesto Chua, Joselito Costas, Lilia Tio, Jason Verallo and Dr. Hope Sabanpan-Yu.

Author: Trizer Dale Mansueto/J.E. R. Bersales
04 / September / 2007

USC Commerce Cheerdance 2007

Watch the USC College of Commerce Cheerdance Team 2007

Thanks kinz0328.

USC Nursing Popjazz 2007

Watch the USC Nursing Popjazz 2007 team, which won 2nd runner-up.

thanks manchiecute.

USC CAFA Popjazz 2007

USC College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) Popjazz 2007 Team.

thanks to anskitonks.

USC Engineering PopJazz 2007

Watch the champions of the PopJazz 2007 - the USC Engineering PopJazz team!

View from the front:

View from the back:

USC College of Engineering Cheerdance 2007

Watch the USC College of Engineering Cheerdance 2007, which won 1st Runner-Up last Intramurals.

Thanks m00nrhaey.

Carolinians talent show

Carolinians talent show at SM during the USC Intramurals 2007.

Thanks mistressnicey.

Message from the President

To be
what we promise to become;
To do
what we pledge we shall do;
To live
as we profess and proclaim:

This is to Witness to the Word –
God’s Word and ours.

This is the Corporate Social Responsibility
of the University of San Carlos.

University of San Carlos is an educational institution named after San Carlos Borromeo. As such, it follows the ideals of its patron, among which are to organize its academic programs and social processes so that those who take them become competent professionals who have at heart not just their professional advancement but the good of the bigger society.

University of San Carlos is a Catholic institution of learning. As such, it adheres to the teachings of the Catholic Church in all the aspects of academic life: teaching–learning, research, community service. At the same time, in the spirit of ecumenism and communion, it shares what it believes even with those of other faiths and those who may not have any.

University of San Carlos is owned and operated by the USC Corporation, the majority of whose members are missionaries of the Society of the Divine Word (Societas Verbi Divini: SVD). As such, in its pursuit of its academic and educational goals, it is committed to spread the Word of God and to endeavor that the Word is not only preached but practiced and lived. It is committed to inspiring the community within and outside it with the SVD missionary spirit which draws its strength from the Word of God who became man and lived among us.

University of San Carlos is part of the global society that is the city and province of Cebu, the region of the Visayas, the Filipino nation, Asia, and the world. As such, it collaborates with all stakeholders in education, with government and non–government organizations, with all people of good will in pursuing its educational mission and in responding to social and environmental concerns.

We are the University of San Carlos.

WITNESS TO THE WORD is our Corporate Social Responsibility:
the Word within our worlds and beyond our borders.

Within our worlds, shaped and guided by our Catholic faith, the missionary orientation of the Society of the Divine Word, and the ideals of our patron, San Carlos Borromeo, the University of San Carlos strives to be the best educational institution that we can be, to give our best to those who entrust themselves to us for the education that they seek.

Beyond our borders, our Corporate Social Responsibility also urges us to go, and so do we. We reach out to those who can not come to us. With them we share “what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes, what we have watched and touched with our hands: the Word, who is Life” . . . so that they, too, “may be in union with us, as we strive to be in union with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ ,. . . and so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John, 1:1-4)

Our Corporate Social Responsibility flows from our vision:

A WORLD
where the darkness of sin
and the night of unbelief
vanish
before the Light of the Word
and the Spirit of Grace;

A SOCIETY
where citizens are competent,
noble in character, and community – oriented.

The fruit of our mission shall be seen when all Carolinians and everyone
within our worlds and beyond our borders
so live that

what they know, they apply justly and honestly;
what they do not know, they seek to learn;
what they do not have, they endeavor to acquire;
what they have, they share.

This is to Witness to the Word.

This is the
Corporate Social Responsibility
of the
University of San Carlos.

USC Foundation Week
August 19 – 25, 2007

Marine Algae Taxonomy Workshop in Malaysia

Bio chair represents Philippines in Marine Algae Taxonomy Workshop in Malaysia

A training workshop on the taxonomy of marine algae was recently held by the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 15–22. The workshop was originally intended to train young phycologists from all over Malaysia but the invitation was extended to phycologists from other Asian countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Hongkong–SAR to foster exchanges of information and camaraderie among the region’s young phycologists.

Danilo B. Largo, Chair of the USC Department of Biology, who is actively doing research on marine algae, was invited to represent the Philippines.

Dr. Largo explaining to a group of workshop participants about the characteristics of “gozo” (Eucheuma) – an important world source of carrageenan from the Philippines.

The participants were given hands-on training on how to identify algae based on morphological approach using materials they brought from their respective countries. They were also introduced into the use of molecular approach in algal taxonomy and constructing phylogenetic tree as a tool to analyze evolutionary history of certain algal taxa.

While most of the materials used in the workshop were from their own country, the participants had a chance to collect seaweeds at Port Dickson in the state of Negeri Sembilan located in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and some 80 km from Kuala Lumpur. The exercises enabled them to compare the richness of Southeast Asian biodiversity on marine algae (or seaweeds) which is perhaps unsurpassed by the rest of the world.

Participants of the seaweed taxonomy workshop; Dr. Largo is 4th from the left (2nd row).

Serving as facilitators of the workshop were the leading phycologists from Japan (Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Kawai, Kobe Univ.), Korea (Prof. Dr. Sun Ming Boo represented by Dr. Kim Myung Sook and Dr. Eun Chan Yang), Thailand (Prof. Lewmanomont Khanjanapaj) and Malaysia (Dr. Lim Phaik-Eem and Prof. Dr. Phang Siew Moi). An Annotated Checklist of Marine Algae of Southeast Asia will be the main output of this workshop. This will be the first of a series planned by the organizer, Prof. Phang Siew Moi, head of the University of Malaya Maritime Research Centre (UMMReC).

Dr. Largo’s travel and accommodation expenses were graciously provided by the workshop organizer.

Author: D. B. Largo

USC students win 7th National PRISAAP Youth Congress

Students reap awards at 7th National PRISAAP Youth Congress

Students of the University of San Carlos reaped awards during the 7th National Private Secondary School Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISAAP) Youth Congress.

The University of San Carlos-North Campus earned the award Best in "In-School Activities Student Council Project Proposal." Meanwhile, Rolando Calomarde Jr. (IV-Gold) bagged 2nd Runner Up in the Pagsulat ng Sanaysay event. Jundale Joyohoy (III-Gold) placed 3rd Runner Up in the Poster Making Contest while Miguel Flve Matutino was 4th Runner Up in the Mr. PRISAAP 2007 contested by 38 students.

The USC-NC Group also placed 3rd Runner Up in the Folk/Ethnic Dance Contests while four students were semi-finalists in the English Essay Writing Contest, namely, Kevin R. Ty (III-Gold), Simeon Philippe Noval (IV-Green), Eduardo Nepangue (IV-Gold), and Kynt L. Tabudlong (III-Gold).

The students were accompanied by their coaches as well as parent chaperons, namely Lolito Belonguel, Deosel Platero, Dennis Lacson, Ruth Mae Luche, Dr. Alan Quirante (PTA President), and Marieta Calomarde (PTA Treasurer).

Author: P. J. Lim
22 / August / 2007

Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia opens USC Foundation Week

The honorable Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia graced the opening of the University Foundation Week today, August 20, 2007, at the USC Talamban Campus.

Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia speaks during the opening of the Corporate Social Responsibility exhibits at the lobby of Bunzel Building.

Gov. Garcia expressed her gratitude to USC on choosing the theme, "Beyond Borders, Within Worlds" and emphasizing the University's Corporate Social Responsibility. She said that now more than ever, public and private partnership is important. "No man... no woman... can do this alone," Gov. Garcia remarked on social responsibility.

The day started with a Holy Mass attended by the University community who filled to capacity the Church of St. Arnold and St. Joseph. USC President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD celebrated the Mass along with his confreres. Reflecting the theme of the Foundation Week, prayers were offered in four languages.

The Opening Mass at the Church of St. Arnold and St. Joseph was well attended by the USC community.

Afterwards, Fr. Salazar read the statement of USC's Corporate Social Responsibility. Part of the document emphasized the Carolinian's identity and the theme, "We have seen with our eyes and touched with our hands... we witness to the Word beyond our borders, within our worlds." Copies of the statement were then given to representatives from the four campuses.

Fr. Salazar reads the statement of USC's Corporate Social Responsibility.

The celebrations during the opening of the exhibits at the Bunzel Building lobby highlighted the University's involvement in the communities. Corporate partners also put up their own exhibits. The opening was also attended by Commission on Higher Education Regional Director Dr. Enrique Grecia and Board of Trustee member Dr. Pericles Dakay, who assisted the governor in cutting the ribbon.

Gov. Garcia, assisted by Dr. Pericles Dakay (to her right) and Dr. Enrique Grecia, opens the Corporate Social Responsibility exhibits.

Author: P. J. Lim
20 / August / 2007

Christopher Y. Go awarded the San Carlos Borromeo Award

San Carlos Borromeo Award conferred on Christopher Y. Go

The San Carlos Borromeo Award was conferred today on internationally-recognized amateur astronomer Mr. Christopher Y. Go in in solemn ceremonies this afternoon at the CAFA Theater, Talamban Campus, with physicists, Go's relatives, and the Carolinian academic community in attendance.

The award was presented by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD, vice-president for academic affairs, on behalf of the University Administration and the Board of Trustees, with Dr. Roland Emerito Otadoy, chair of the Department of Physics, and Dr. Elizabeth Remedio, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, as witnesses.

Go (third from left) with the San Carlos Borromeo Medal and citation, is flanked by Otadoy, Remedio and Fr. Gapuz (first, third and fourth from left).

Named after the University’s patron saint known for his great contributions to Catholic reformation and the establishment of seminaries while living a humble existence, the award was conferred on Go in recognition of his discovery of the changing conditions of a storm on planet Jupiter known as Red Spot Jr., officially designated as Oval BA, an achievement recognized internationally.

A graduate of a Physics degree from USC in 1991, Go rose to international fame on February 24, 2006, when he alerted the Jupiter Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) that Oval BA, a storm that formed in Jupiter in 2000, had metamorphosed from white to red. This important discovery was confirmed by the ALPO Japan Kansai Division. In March 2006, it had become as red as the planet's most famous "landmark", the storm called Great Red Spot. In reference to this, Oval BA is now fondly known as Red Spot Jr. or Red Jr.

Other than the award, Go was also given an appointment as the University’s first honorary lecturer signed just this morning by Fr. Pres. Roderick C. Salazar, Jr., SVD and confirmed by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD, the vice-president for academic affairs. Fr. Gapuz represented Fr. Pres. Salazar during the ceremonies as he had to depart for Manila for an urgent meeting.

Go presents his findings in response to his appointment as honorary lecturer.

In response to the award and the appointment, Go made a 20-minute presentation of his discovery and of the progress of work on Jupiter following his internationally-recognized achievement.

Red Spot Jr. is now under intense study by a group led by Dr. Imke de Pater and Dr. Phil Marcus, both of the University of California at Berkeley, with Go as a member. The research team was allowed the use of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in mid-April 2006 to obtain high-resolution images of Red Jr. On July 14 this year, the Great Red Spot and Red Spot Jr. had a conjunction. But the two survived unscathed. To study this phenomenal event, the team was allowed use of the W. M. Keck Observatory at Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Go processed the deep infrared images from the Gemini Observatory also located at Mauna Kea.

The San Carlos Borromeo Award.

The group has also been awarded four orbits of HST in February 2007. Just recently, its proposal to use Cycle 16 of HST to study the Jovian climate was approved by the Space Telescope Science Institute, the agency under NASA handling the HST.

This is only the third time the San Carlos Borromeo Award has been given by the University since 2005 when it was first conferred on anthropologist Dr. Wenda Trevathan of New Mexico State University. In June this year, Ambassador Alex Weishaupt of Germany was also conferred the award. This is the first time, however, that the award is presented not as a plaque but in the form of a gilded medal with the lines “San Carlos Borromeo Medal of Excellence” engraved around a relief of the known portrait of the saint.

Author: J.E. Bersales
21 / August / 2007

USC forum on extra-judicial killings

Impunity of perpetrators and lack of serious effort at investigation and prosecution are two major factors for the unabated political killings in the country.

These were pointed out by Atty. Jose Midas Marquez, spokesperson of the Supreme Court, and Atty. Neri Colmenares, spokesperson of the lawyers’ group Counsels for the Defense of Civil Liberties, at the forum held at the Wrocklage Yard of the University of San Carlos (USC) yesterday (August 16, 2007) afternoon.

The forum themed, ‘Political Killings: Effects on the Judicial System’, was attended by students and faculty of the departments of Sociology and Anthropology, Political Science, and Economics, as well as lawyers, religious, human rights advocates, and law students from other universities.

The organizers with Atty. Jose Midas Marquez, Spokesperson of the Supreme Court and Atty. Neri Colmenares, Spokesperson, CODAL.

Atty. Marquez said the judiciary is addressing the problems by working on the recommendations identified in the Supreme Court Summit on Extra-Judicial Killings last month. These are the inclusion in the rules of court of the remedy of Writ of Amparo, which encompasses the demand to avail of the bill of rights, and the strengthening of the witness protection program, among others.

Atty. Colmenares however cautioned that good intentions of the Supreme Court and dedication of human rights lawyers and advocates will not be enough without full public support and participation especially when government security forces are suspected to be involved.

The forum, which was co-sponsored by the USC Lex Circle, USC Supreme Student Council, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)–Cebu City, National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) and KARAPATAN, was opened by Atty. Briccio Joseph Boholst, chairperson of IBP–Cebu City and moderated by Atty. Noemi Truya, of NUPL.

It strived to: 1) heighten awareness on the state of political killings; 2) familiarize participants on the strategies employed to abate the problems related to political killings; and 3) provide a venue to discuss possible legislative and judiciary solutions to end all political killings.

Author: contributed by Dennis Abarrientos
18 / August / 2007

2007 Most Outstanding USC Alumni Awardees

Seven feted as hundreds of alumni come home to USC anew

Seven of this year’s eight Most Outstanding Alumni Awardees were feted by Carolinians Inc., the alumni association of all USC graduates, as hundreds of other alumni from various places in the country and abroad---including a large delegation from the Carolinians of Surigao, Inc. and Carolinians Midwest USA---came to attend the 2007 USC Grand Alumni Homecoming.

The seven were Philip Ngai Tan (B.S. in Business Administration) for entrepreneurship; Archt. Socorro B. Atega (B.S in Architecture, Magna cum laude) for landscape architecture; Judge Marilyn L. Yap (Bachelor of Laws), for law and justice; Dir. Prudenciana C. Cruz (B.S.E. major in Library Science) for library science; Engr. Ernesto Codina (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering) for aeronautics and space flight engineering; Arlene Donaire (A.B. in Economics) for environmental advocacy; and Arnulfo Ramos (M.A. in History) for community service. Also awarded but failed to attend the event was Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell (Pre-Medicine) for dermatology.

Carolinians, Inc. President Archt. Lizeta Uy (extreme left) with seven of the eight outstanding alumni: (from right): Tan, Atega, Yap, Cruz, Codina, Donaire and Ramos.

Prior to the homecoming, various colleges conducted alumni congresses in different venues of the University's four campuses between 1:30 and 3:30 to bring together graduates of the University and the academic community.

The Grand Homecoming, with the theme “Carolinians: Crossing Borders, Coming Home”, opened with the traditional Holy Mass at 3:30 at the Church of St. Arnold and St. Joseph. The dark clouds and brief downpour failed to dampen everyone's spirits as the gathering proceeded in earnest at the lobby and concourse of the College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

Fr. Pres. Roderick C. Salazar, Jr., SVD, in a brief opening statement, exhorted the alumni to be witnesses to the Word even as he explained the beautifully crafted theme of this year's USC Foundation Week, "Beyond Borders, Within Worlds: Witness to the Word, USC's Corporate Social Responsibility".

The annual homecoming traditionally kicks off the first day of USC Foundation Week, which marks the time when four Jesuit priests and a lay brother opened the oldest school in the Philippines and USC's precursor, the Colegio de San Ildefonso, on August 21, 1595 in Cebu.

As in previous years, a fireworks display wowed the alumni even as fanfare and celebrations of noble achievements by Carolinians ensued. A unique feature of this year’s reunion was the special request for all alumni to attend wearing their best pair of jeans. The cover and signage of the homecoming were also a fresh departure from the usual formalized designs that marked most of the homecoming souvenir programs in the past.

Author: J.E. R. Bersales
19 / August / 2007

2007 USC Foundation Week Event Schedules

Day 1 - Sunday, August 19, 2007
09:00 A.M. College Alumni Congress
Parallel Session

01:30 P.M. College of Engineering
Alumni Congress
Harold Rigney Hall

03:00 P.M. Alumni Homecoming
Registration
Church of St. Arnold and St. Joseph
and CAFA Building

04:00 P.M. Alumni Homecoming Mass
Church of St.Arnold and
St. Joseph

05:30 P.M. Alumni Homecoming
CAFA Theater and Lobby
Fireworks
CAFA Grounds

Day 2 - Monday, August 20, 2007
09:00 A.M. 2007 Foundation Week Mass
Church of St. Arnold and St. Joseph
Opening of Market Exhibit
Dept of Business Administration
Main Campus

10:30 A.M. Opening of Exhibits
Laurence Bunzel Lobby
Opening of Market Fair
Beside Steyler Canteen
Talamban Campus

01:30 P.M. Launching of University CSR
Harold Rigney Hall

04:00 P.M. Launching of the Center for the
Advancement of Teaching and
Learning
SMED Conference Room

04:00 P.M. Cultural Show
SM Food Court

06:30 P.M. Food for the Soul
Casino Español

OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT VIEWING
Day 3 - Tuesday, August 21, 2007
08:00 A.M. Opening of University
Intramurals
Anselmo Bustos
Sports Complex
Market Fair
Laurence Bunzel Lobby

01:30 P.M. San Carlos Borromeo
Award for Excellence in
Astronomy
CAFA Theater
Job Fair
Bernard Wrocklage Yard

03:00 P.M. GADJA
South Campus Pentagon

OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT VIEWING
Day 4 - Wednesday, August 22, 2007
08:00 A.M. University Intramurals
Anselmo Bustos
Sports Complex
Harold Rigney Hall

09:00 A.M. Lecture on Nutritional Managementgt
and diabetes mellitus
Theodore Buttenbruch Hall
Market Fair
Laurence Bunzel Lobby

01:30 P.M. Academic Congress
"The Philippine Law on Marriage"
Theodore Buttenbruch Hall

03:00 P.M. Basic Education Carolinian
Festival Mass
South Campus Pentagon

06:00 P.M. Carolinian Idol
Bernard Wrocklage Yard

OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT VIEWING
Day 5 - Thursday, August 23, 2007
08:00 A.M. University Intramurals
Anselmo Bustos
Sports Complex
Opening of Intramurals
for Basic Education
South Campus

09:00 A.M. Lecture Demonstration:
Art of Self Defense
Bernard Wrocklage Yard

09:00 A.M. Lecture on Alternative
Medicine
Harold Rigney Hall

01:30 P.M. Emeritus Lecture
Dr. Resil B. Mojares
Theodore Buttenbruch Hall

01:30 P.M. ADEA & CFA Sportsfest

OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT VIEWING
Day 6 - Friday, August 24, 2007
08:00 A.M. University Intramurals
Anselmo Bustos
Sports Complex
Basic Education Intramurals
South Campus

09:00 A.M. Exhibition:
Aqua Show..Synchronized Swimming
(USC Aquamaidens)
Bronze Medalist - Thailand
Swimming Pool

9:00 A.M. Symposium on Stewardship
Harold Rigney Hall

03:00 P.M. Intramurals Closing Ceremonies
Anselmo Bustos
Sports Complex

OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT VIEWING
Day 7 - Saturday, August 25, 2007
08:00 A.M. Carolinian Festival
South Campus Pentagon

08:00 A.M. PE Festival
Talamban Soccer Field

OPEN HOUSE AND EXHIBIT VIEWING

Fr. Cyrus Toledano Mercado is Acting VP Finance

Mercado is Acting VP Finance

Fr. Mercado

Fr. Cyrus Toledano Mercado, SVD, M.M. was recently appointed Acting Vice President for Finance following the resignation of Fr. Vicente L. Uy, SVD.

Fr. Uy, who was also USC athletics director, left the University to become the Special Assistant to Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez.

Fr. Mercado is the son of Pablo Mercado and Eden Toledano Mercado and has two siblings, Lurleen and Mareden. He hails from Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.

His previous assignment was with the SVD Southern Provincialate before he was asked to assume this latest appointment at the University.

He comes to office with impressive credentials, having completed a Master in Management degree at the Asian Institute of Management. Before that, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics degree from De La Salle University. Fr. Mercado also holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology, major in Pastoral Ministry (magna cum laude), from the Divine Word School of Theology in Tagaytay.

Author: Patrick John Y. Lim
13 / August / 2007

Political Science professor returns from U.S. study tour

Political Science mentor returns from U.S. study tour

Prof. Jiah Sayson, the lone Filipino participant in the 2007 Study of American Politics and Political Thought, returned from the United States last July 30. She and 17 other political science academicians from other countries were hand-picked by the U.S. State Department from a long list of applicants to attend the annual program administered by the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst from June 15 to July 29, 2007.

The six-week academic program focused on the political development of the American nation---a historical, institutional, and qualitative approach to the study of American government and politics.

Sayson (seated first from left) with the other program participants.

Program participants went through a coursework that included topics such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as the founding principles and design of the nation’s governance and politics; liberalism and republicanism as the major public philosophies of the Enlightenment era; race, religion and citizenship as the centralizing themes of American life; and capitalism and the free market competition as organizing concepts of the nation’s economy.

The three-week academic residency program was accompanied by a study tour where lectures were held in various institutions such as Simmons College, Boston; City University of New York; Messiah College, Harrisburg; and University of Virginia.

Sessions with U.S. State Department officials, lobbyists and think-tanks in Washington D.C. were also organized.

Sayson also visited the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, National Civil War Museum, Gettysburg Battlefield, Jefferson’s Monticello, Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., Capitol Hill, among others. She is scheduled to deliver separate lectures to senior students and faculty members of the USC Department of Political Science in September to engage with them the knowledge and insights she gleaned from the program.

Author: J.E. Bersales
11 / August / 2007

Announcements!

Honoring of New Carolinian Pharmacists
Fr. Harold Rigney Hall
USC – Talamban Campus
August 10, 2007 9:00 AM

2007 USC Foundation Week
August 19 - 27, 2007

Oath taking of New Pharmacists
Holiday Plaza Hotel
F. Ramos Street, Cebu City
August 10, 2007 1:00 PM

Induction of Officers
Carolinians ALUMNICHEM, Inc.
Department of Chemistry
August/September 2007

Midyear Planning and Evaluation of Programs, Curriculum and Syllabi
Department of History
October 2007

ChemBlitz
Department of Chemistry
October/November 2007

28th National Conference on Local National History of the Philippine National Historical Society and Tangub City Government and Historical Commission
Department of History
November 2007

Chemistry Research Symposium
Department of Chemistry
November 2007

USC Holidays on Friday, August 3, 2007, and Monday, August 6, 2007

Holidays due to SK registration, Cebu Charter Day slated

Acting President Teodoro P. Gapuz, SVD, M.A. announced today that classes will be suspended on Friday, August 3, 2007, and Monday, August 6, 2007.

August 3, 2007 was declared as a special holiday for all high school and college students by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through Proclamation No. 1345. The proclamation allows students to register for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

Elementary and pre-school levels are not covered by Presidential Order 1345 and will thus continue to hold classes as usual. Regular office work will also continue on August 3, especially since mid-term examinations are scheduled for the following week.

Saturday, August 4, 2007 is a regular class and work day.

Monday, August 6, 2007 is Cebu Province Charter Day and is a legal holiday. There will be no classes at all levels and no work for most offices. A skeletal force of the Finance Division will report for service at regular office hours to accommodate parents and students who would like to transact business on this day.

Wrocklage Yard at the Main Campus will also be open on Monday, August 6, 2007, to serve as a study area for students.

USC Chemical Engineering Student Research Annual (ChESRA)

ChE publishes Student Research Annual

The Department of Chemical Engineering has come out with the first volume of the USC Chemical Engineering Student Research Annual (ChESRA). The publication replaces the traditional softbound undergraduate thesis manuscripts of individual student groups. The department adopted this change in order to promote the importance of disseminating research findings and to provide the larger community access to such results.

The first volume consists of 13 papers written by the graduating students of academic year 2006–2007. Topics include aspects of biodiesel and bioplastics production, bioremediation, and wastewater treatment technologies.

Dr. Evelyn B. Taboada, a professor in the department, is the editor of the research annual. The University, through Dr. Victorina H. Zosa, Director of the Office of Research, shoulders the publication expenses.

Copies of ChESRA are available at the Department of Chemical Engineering for Php300.00. The department may be contacted through telephone number (+63 32) 344 3801 local 410 or by email through lkcabatingan@usc.edu.ph.

Author: L. K. Cabatingan
02 / August / 2007

University of San Carlos Scholarships

Scholarships

The University grants scholarship privileges as grants-in-aid to students who excel in their studies, as well as to those who qualify as members of USC varsity teams and USC performing arts groups, and to those who are financially deprived. Scholarships are likewise afforded to deserving students who meet the requirements of alumni associations, government and private scholarship benefactors. The Scholarship Program then at USC consists of those sponsored by the University, Alumni, Government and Private Institutions. Application Forms for Scholarships are to be obtained from the Office of Scholarships. Duly accomplished forms together with the specified requirements have to be submitted within the official registration period, unless otherwise specified.

As a general rule, scholarship grantees are not allowed double-scholarship at the same time. But, if there are those qualified for two scholarships funded only by the University, they can be entitled to the scholarship that provides the higher financial grant, upon the endorsement of the Office of Scholarships. However, those who are beneficiaries of a scholarship grant funded by other institutions, not by USC, or private individuals are entitled to also avail of a tuition fee discount privilege due them because of scholastic excellence (i.e., Graduation Honors and Dean’s Honors List) and membership in varsity teams and performing arts groups recognized by the University.

University-Sponsored Scholarships

1. Students with Graduation Honors
1.1 Scholarship privileges are given to students who graduated from secondary education with the following graduation honors: Valedictorian, Salutatorian, First Honorable Mention.

• VALEDICTORIANS to be granted a 100% tuition fee discount (excluding laboratory and other school fees) must come from a class of at least 60 students. Valedictorians from a class of below 60 but not less than 30 may be granted a 75% tuition fee discount; from a class of below 30 but not less than 15, they may be granted a 50% tuition fee discount.

• SALUTATORIANS to be granted a 75% tuition fee discount (excluding laboratory and other school fees) must come from a class of at least 60 students. Salutatorians from a class of below 60 but not less than 30 may be granted a 50% tuition fee discount; from a class of below 30 but not less than 15, they may be granted a 25% tuition fee discount.

• Students who ranked FIRST HONORABLE MENTION in a class of at least 60 students are granted a 50% tuition fee discount ((excluding laboratory and other school fees). Those who graduated with this honor from a class of below but not less than 30 may be granted a 25% tuition fee discount.

1.2 Students with graduation honors have to apply for the scholarship privileges to which they are entitled. They must submit a duly accomplished Application Form attaching the following requirements:

• Certification from the Principal of the secondary school where graduated stating the Graduation Honor and the number of graduates in their class;
• Certificate of Good Moral Character.

They must comply with the following conditions:
• Not enjoy any other scholarship privilege granted by the University;
• Not engaged in any gainful occupation; and
• Carry the normal load of their prescribed curriculum.
1.3 Scholarship privileges for the aforementioned Honor Students are given for TWO SEMESTERS only provided that the grantee obtain a general weighted average grade of 1.70 or better during the First Semester and does not shift to another curriculum.

1.4 After two semesters, students granted the scholarship privileges because of their graduation honors, may continue to avail of their privileges if they meet the qualifications for the Dean’s Honors List.

2. Students on the Dean’s Honors List
2.1 The University through each College recognizes superior scholastic achievement through the Dean’s Honors List. To qualify, the following requirements have to be met:

*
* With one or more years of residence in USC;
* Currently enrolled in the same curriculum pursued in the immediately preceding semester;
* Carry a regular load for the semester according to the curriculum enrolled in;
* Of good moral character and not charged of any offense and without a pending case in any court of law or any administrative body;
* No grade of 5.0 or NC; and
* With a General Weighted Average (GWAG) of at least 1.70.

2.2 Students who qualify for the Dean’s Honors List are entitled to receive a Certificate of Recognition during the College Recognition Day held in every succeeding semester.

2.3 The top three students with the highest GWAG in a college/ department/ grouping of departments will enjoy the scholarship privilege specified below:

• First Ranking Student: 100% tuition fee discount privilege provided his/ her GWAG is not less than 1.20
• Second Ranking Student: 75% tuition fee discount privilege provided his/ her GWAG is at least 1.21 but not lower than 1.45
• Third Ranking Student: 50% tuition fee discount privilege provided his/ her GWAG is at least 1.46 but not less than 1.70

2.4 The top three students in a College will be considered but the minimum grade shall be required. There is no limit in the number of students to enjoy the privilege if they have the same GWAG.
For instance, if in a particular College, three students obtained a GWAG of 1.20, then all three students will enjoy the 100% tuition fee discount privilege.

2.5 In the event that any one of the first three ranking students fails to qualify for the tuition fee discount privilege, the next ranking student on the Dean’s Honors List will be considered.

2.6 The GWAG shall be computed based on the Final Grades of all courses taken in the immediately preceding semester, except NSTP (ROTC, LTS and CWTS). In the case of a transferee, he/she must have at least a year of residence in USC.

2.7 Students on the Dean’s Honors List who are entitled to scholarship privileges enjoy a tuition fee discount during the immediately preceding semester. Those who have graduated are no longer entitled to the tuition fee discount privilege which is not convertible to cash nor can be claimed as refund.

2.8 Students who are disqualified in the Dean’s Honors List may still qualify for Graduation Honors based on the set criteria.

3. USC Varsity Teams
Athletes are granted scholarships in the form of tuition fee adjustment privilege subject to the conditions laid down by the Board of Athletics.The Varsity Teams organized in the University for men and women are the following sports:
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Chess
• Lawn Tennis
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Taekwondo
• Volleyball
• Soccer Football

4. USC Performing Arts Groups
Students with special talents who qualify membership in the following performing arts groups are granted tuition fee adjustment privileges subject to the conditions set by the Performing Arts

Committee:
• Dance Troupe
• Choristers
• Band
• Theater Guild

5. Working Scholars
The University through the Human Resource Management Office administers a Working Scholarship Program (WSP) primarily to assist deserving students who are financially unable to obtain college education.

Students accepted to WSP shall work for four hours a day (24 hours a week) in consideration for free tuition and other school fees and a semestral book allowance to be determined by the University Administration.

6. The University President’s Scholars
6.1 The University President provides scholarship for 10 slots, preferably to promising students of low socio-economic status who are enrolled in any 4 or 5 year baccalaureate curriculum.

6.2 Arnold Janssen Scholars

6.3 USC Missio and ReEd Scholars

6.4 ACUP Scholars

6.5 By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 451 Section7, the University President provides scholarships to poor but deserving students at the ratio of one for every 500 students enrolled.

6.6 Likewise, Presidential Decree No. 577 provides the granting of full scholarship to dependents of military personnel who died or are incapacitated while in active service. The number of grantees is at the ratio of one grantee for every 2000 students of the total enrolment.

Apart from the aforementioned scholarships the USC grants tuition fee discount privileges to children of its academic and non-academic employees as well as to students coming from the same family. USC also affords schooling privilege to academic and non-academic employees.

7. Alumni-Sponsored Scholarships
College department-based alumni associations, geographical alumni chapters, alumni classes or batches, alumni groups and individuals offer scholarship to promising students who will meet their required qualifications.

8. Government-Sponsored Scholarships As an autonomous higher education institution in the country and with its track record of linkages with government, the University is privileged to administer scholarship programs sponsored by the following government agencies:
• Civil Service Commission (CSC)
• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
• Department of Education (DepEd)
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
• Local Government Units, i.e. Mandaue City Government
• Provincial Government of Cebu

9. Private Institution-Sponsored Scholarships
The strong partnerships of the University with business and industry, professional associations, religious groups and individuals, privately-run corporations and establishments have come to offer scholarship grants for philanthropic and humanitarian purposes. These private institutions vary in their scholarship requirements and conditions.

8th National Conference of the Philippine Population Association

OPSF hosts national population confab

The USC Office of Population Studies Foundation successfully hosted today the 8th National Conference of the Philippine Population Association held at Casino Español de Cebu. Over a hundred teachers, social scientists, government officials and population experts attended the meeting which tackled issues that bear on the Life Course Perspective on Population, Nutrition and Health.

Rep. Nerissa Soon Ruiz, chair of the special committee on the country's fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals and principal author of the Iodized Salt bill, welcomed the delegates to the daylong meet.

From left: Dr. Herrin, Rep. Soon-Ruiz, Dr. Quisumbing, Dr. Gultiano and Dr. Lee.

Eight speakers, led by PPA President and concurrent OPSF director Dr. Socorro Gultiano, presented papers that delved on programs and projects that shed light on the various facets of the relationship between population and nutrition on the health and well-being of Filipinos across the spectrum of the life course (from infancy to old age).

The other speakers were Dr. Linda Adair, research fellow at the Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill; Dr. Corazon VC. Barba, professor emeritus of the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, U.P. Los Baños; Dr. Agnes R. Quisumbing, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.; Nanette Lee, senior research associate at OPSF currently on study leave at UNC; Dr. Grace T. Cruz, director of the U.P. Population Institute (UPPI); and Dr. Josefina N. Natividad, professor at UPPI.

Dr. Alejandro N. Herrin, former professor at the U.P. School of Economics provided a comprehensive synthesis of the papers that were read. Dr. Romeo Lee, associate professor at the Behavioral Sciences Department of De La Salle University presided over the conference.

The officers and staff of OPSF with the speakers of the forum as well as the conference.

The daylong conference was preceded yesterday by a Forum on Research Updates also held at the same venue. The forum provided some 100 participants with an insight on current trends in statistics, anthropometrics, focus group discussion and other research methodologies relevant to population and nutrition studies. Among the resource persons wer Dr. Erlinda Burton of the Research Institue for Mindanao Cultures, Xavier University and Dr. Judith Borja, research associate at Carolina Population Center, UNC and a research affiliate at OPSF.

The conference and the forum were sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, RLim Foundation, OPSF and the University of San Carlos.

Author: J.E. Bersales
28 / July / 2007

4th and 9th places in Architecture Board Exams

USC bags 4th and 9th places in Architecture Board Exams

Joel Anthony C. Ong and Lloyd L. Marquez, two Architecture graduates of the University of San Carlos, made it to the fourth and ninth places in the July 2007 National Licensure Examinations for Architects, this was announced recently by Archt. Omar Maxwell Espina, dean of the College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

Ong and Marquez lead 22 other Carolinian graduates to place the University in fourth rank based on its latest board exam performance, with a rating of 67 percent, way above the national passing percentage of 40.92 percent.

The other successful examinees were:

1. Albios, Ariel T.
2. Bucao, Xyrus Alan R.
3. Diaz, Mark Louie M.
4. Dimput, Gladys amor D.
5. Dumadag, Gil Francis C.
6. Gawchua, Christine Mie E.
7. Getalada, Carlito Jr. E.
8. Gumban, Colin Kate T.
9. Joven, Phoebe Marsha D.
10. Lim, Karen Y.
11. Lim Chio, Karen Dianne D.
12. Miñoza, Jose Jr. C.
13. Mondares, Dahlia H.
14. Ocampo, Marianne U.
15. Pagador, Reynante D.
16. Perez, Erickson G.
17. Querequincia, Keith Giovanni B.
18. Sitoy, Shenelle Dee O.
19. Solas, Ferdinand M.
20. Sun, James Andrew C.
21. Torrevillas, Arianne Jude T.
22. Ugsimar, Patrick Simon G.

Congratulations!

Author: J.E. Bersales
27 / July / 2007

Andrew Wee won 2nd prize in international logo design contest

Architecture stude bags 2nd prize in international logo design contest

A fourth-year architecture student bagged the second prize in the international logo design contest for the 1st World Olympiad in Urban Design-2009 (WOUD 2009). Andrew Wee, an industrial engineer currently enrolled in the architecture program, bested hundreds of other entries.

He recently returned from Tehran, Iran, where he joined the first prize winner, Senih Cavosuglu of Cyprus, in the awarding ceremony held July 15, 2007 at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art graced by the Vice-President of Iran, Esfandiar Rahim-Moshaee. Wee got a roundtrip ticket to attend the ceremony, a trophy, and a cash price of $5,000.

Wee, (fourth from left) together with Esfandiar Rahim-Moshaee, the Vice-President of Iran; the governor of Fars Province; Cavosuglu; and a UN-HABITAT representative.

Under the sponsorship of UN Habitat, the 1st World Olympiad in Urban Design will be held in Iran next year and is spearheaded by the International Art and Architecture Research Association. The objective of the event is to enhance the quality of urban spaces in cities around the world, under the slogan "Creativity for Urban Sustainability". Part of the preparations for this world event was the logo design contest.

The winning logo designed by Wee.

This is not the first time that Wee has won in an international logo contest. Although not a Fine Arts major, he has also won as a finalist in the Asia-Europe Meeting logo competition held in Singapore in 2004 and in the Nagoya Design Competition held in Nagoya, Japan also that same year.

Congratulations!

Author: J.E. Bersales
25 / July / 2007

USC Kapamilya Negosyo Na!

USC Kapamilya Negosyo Na! Season 2 launched

Building on the success reaped during its first season, the second installment of the entrepreneurship program USC Kapamilya Negosyo Na! was launched Friday, June 29, 2007 at the SM Entertainment Area.

The program is an endeavor of the USC College of Commerce Alumni Association, Inc. the USC College of Commerce, and ABS–CBN / DYAB.

Members of the USC College of Commerce, officers of the USC COC AAI and the representative of ABS–CBN / DYAB pose proudly during the launching.

USC Kapamilya Negosyo Na! aims to encourage individuals to engage in business. This is achieved by literally walking them through the aspects of putting up a business. It begins with a seminar on the preparation of a business plan and continues with the on–air discussions of the basic knowledge necessary for one to be an entrepreneur.

Midway in the program, ten winners are chosen and are given seed capital of P10,000.00 each. They are then asked to secure all the necessary permits so they can operate legally. Mentors are assigned to each winner to help them as they take their first steps towards empowerment. At the end of the program, the best among the ten is chosen and given another P10,000.00.

The tri–media exposures given to the winners during the interviews and the on–air lectures give the new entrepreneurs a platform to jumpstart their businesses.

Author: Carmen Piramide
24 / July / 2007

Montessori Academy, inaugurated

Fr. Pres. Salazar, trustees inaugurate Montessori Academy

The USC Board of Trustees led by Engr. Jesus Alcordo, took time out from a special meeting to join Father President Roderick C. Salazar, Jr., SVD, together with the University Cabinet and other officials, in inaugurating at noon today the Montessori Academy, the latest member of the Carolinian community. Fr. Pres. Salazar; Fr. Heinz Kulueke, SVD, provincial superior of the SVD Southern Province; and Engr. Alcordo, chair of the Board, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was followed by a prayer service and the blessing of the academy's facilities.

All smiles as another milestone in USC history is about to unfold. Front row, from left: Fr. Pres. Salazar, Fr. Dionisio Miranda, Fr. Kulueke, Engr. Alcordo, Dr. Pericles Dakay. Back row, from left: Fr. Ernesto Lagura, Dr. Ernesto Pernia, Fr. Francisco Estepa, Dr. Queenie Siega (partly hidden) and Fr. Teodoro Gapuz

The academy, which is housed at the former Divine Word Formation Center behind the North Campus, is a fruition of over ten years of Montessori education at USC. It began as an alternative learning program of the College of Education in 1995 when Sr. Christine Trudeau, NDS, opened the Montessori Education Center at the South Campus. Dr. Queennie Siega, who was instrumental in developing the program into a distinct educational center, heads the academy together with Sr. Ma. Agnes B. Lentejas, OSF as consultant. A total of 12 teachers make up the pioneering batch of mentors in the Academy.

Facade of the administration offices of the academy

The academy boasts of nearly a hectare of sprawling campus playgrounds amidst 19 rooms, including a library, a music room, and cosmic room. Currently, there are 152 pupils enrolled, ranging from the sges 3 to 19 years old. The academy is the University's gift to the centennial of the type of education developed by Italy's first woman doctor and child educator, Dr. Maria Montessori.

The academy's principal, teachers and staff pose with the members of the Board of Trustees and the University Administration led by Fr. Pres. Salazar.

Author: J.E. Bersales
21 / July / 2007

100% passing mark for USC in recent ND board exams

All four fresh graduates of the B.S. Nutrition and Dietetics program passed the National Board Exams for Nutritionists and Dieticians held last July 12 and 13, 2007. This was announced today by Ms. Elvie Madronial, head of the Home Technology Section of the College of Education announced today.

The four successful examinees gave USC 100 percent passing rate (as against the national passing mark of 56 percent) were Elizabeth Arrogancia, Lindy Rose Elic, Maristella Galleto and Rejoice Luna.

Congratulations!

Hilton Cebu and USC forge HRM link

Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, a leading global hospitality company with a network of over 2,800 hotels in over 76 countries, sealed the covenant of partnership with the University of San Carlos last July 12, 2007.

The partnership aims to develop curricula, faculty and students of Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) and Tourism (BTM) of the Department of Hospitality Management (DHM) in the College of Commerce.

Hilton Cebu was represented by its General Manager, Mr. Peter Pedersen, while USC was represented by Dean of the College of Commerce, Fr. Mark C. Mathias, SVD, Ph.D. Together with Fr. Mathias were DHM chair Cecil S. Gantalao, Ph.D., assistant chair Clifford A. Villaflores, M.A., and former DHM chair Myrla B. Gidayawan.

The covenant highlights the following commitments of Hilton Cebu: (1) provide opportunities to USC students for industry exposure including training programs, (2) provide to the faculty avenues for industry immersion and updating in the latest developments of the industry, (3) selected team members of Hilton Cebu to share expertise through team–teaching and conducting seminars and workshops, (4) conduct common researches and simulations, (5) provide assistance in the updating and revision of DHM curriculum and syllabi, (6) give opportunities for students and graduates to start a career in Hilton, and (7) share resources with the students such as facilities, equipment and expertise among others.

During the press conference that accompanied the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, Mr. Pedersen was asked why Hilton Cebu chose USC, to which he answered, “Hilton is a five–star hotel teaming up with a five–star educational institution.”

Author: Clifford A. Villaflores
19 / July / 2007

Fr. Dinisio Miranda heads academic planning and development office

Fr. Dinisio Miranda heads academic planning and development office

Fr. Miranda

Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD, has been appointed Presidential Assistant for Academic Planning and Development effective July 1, 2007. A member of the USC Board of Trustees and long-time professor of theology at the University of Sto. Tomas, Divine Theological Seminary, and Loyola House of Studies, among others, Fr. Miranda brings with him a wealth of experience needed to help chart the University's academic future and plan for its further development.

Fr. Miranda holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology (summa cum laude, 1984) from Academia Alfonsiana in Rome, where he also took his licentiate in Sacred Theology (also summa cum laude). These two sterling degrees are but the pinnacle of an illustrious academic life marked by outstanding achievements. He was an elemenrary salutatorian and high school valedictorian of St. Louis University in Baguio, and graduated his A.B. Philosophy degree magna cum laude from Christ the King Seminary in Quezon City. He then took an M.A. Philosophy, magna cum laude, at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay.

He first came to USC in 1969 where he taught at the Boys High School (now North Campus) while taking graduate courses in guidance and counseling. After various assignments that brought him to South America, Europe and Oceania, he returned to the Philippines in the late 1980s to take up various appointments in Divine Word schools and universities. He returned to USC in 1987 to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees until 1996. He was re-elected to the board in 2003 and has served as a trustee since then.

In between teaching duties in various theological seminaries and at UST, Fr. Miranda has been attending conferences abroad, while writing books and scholarly articles. In 2004, his book "Kaloob ni Kristo" won the Gintong Aklat Award under the Religious Books Category of the National Book Development Association of the Philippines.

A moral theologian and bioethics expert, he is the first president of the Bioethics Society of the Philippines (2000-2002).

Author: J.E. Bersales
18 / July / 2007

Marine protection to be tackled in roundtable discussion

Marine protection to be tackled in roundtable discussion

Noah Theriault, a doctoral student from the Department of Anthropology at Arizona State University (ASU), will present today initial findings on his study of marine protection in Palawan in a forum sponsored by the Cebuano Studies Center and the Office of International Linkages. Entitled "Preliminary Findings on Collective Action and the Challenges of Marine Protection in Southern Palawan", the roundtable discussion will be held at Seminar Room 1 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Aloysius Cañete, a Fulbright doctoral scholar at ASU and member of the faculty of the USC Department of Sociology and Anthropology, will provide a backgrounder to the study. Dr. Filipina Sotto of the Marine Biology Section will synthesize the discussion after the presentation by Mr. Theriault.

Author: J.E. Bersales

Computer Engineering partners with Freescale Semiconductor

Computer Engineering signs partnership with Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor Inc., a leading semiconductor company based in Texas, U.S.A., provided student learning kits, microcontroller boards and various equipments for the newly opened “Freescale Embedded Systems Laboratory” under the Department of Computer Engineering.

The establishment of the said laboratory is part of Freescales’s University Program and the Department of Computer Engineering’s effort to strengthen the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering curriculum.

The formal turnover ceremony was held last May 26, 2007 with the Letter of Understanding signed by USC President, Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD and Francis Ng, Freescale Singapore Regional Sales Manager, in behalf of Andy Mastronardi, Director of the University Program.

Under the partnership, the laboratory will serve as a training facility for students in the field of embedded systems design. The initial set of donated equipment includes microcontroller student learning kits, application modules, ColdFire and Zigbee Student Learning Kits.

Present during the ceremony were Freescale Philippines Manager Jim P. Reyes; Nicanor S. Buenconsejo Jr., Ph.D., Dean, College of Engineering; Engr. Rosana J. Ferolin, Assistant Dean; Engr. Christine D. Bandalan, Chair, Department of Computer Engineering; Engr. Alberto S. Bañacia, Chair, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics and Communications Engineering and faculty members and students of the Department of Computer Engineering.

Author: R. J. Ferolin
10 / July / 2007

USC graduate bags 9th place in Pharmacist Board Exam

Pharm grad bags 9th place in licensure exam

A Carolinian pharmacy student placed 9th in the Pharmacist Licensure Examination heading 33 others who successfully passed the examination given by the Board in Manila, Cebu and Baguio on July 2–3, 2007.

With a rating of 88.40, Jecel A. Wong placed USC in the list of top ten individual placers dominated by students from University of the Philippines–Manila and University of Santo Tomas.

Jecel A. Wong

As a school, USC had an overall 72% (34 out of 47) passing percentage compared to the national average of 57% (678 out of 1,197). For the first time takers of the examination, USC’s passing was slightly higher at 77% (34 out of 44).

The Cebu examination was held at the CAFA Building (see related story).

The complete list of new Carolinian pharmacists follows: Giovanni C. Aparece, Jennifer D. Ata, Adelle Marie C. Ballena, Mary Hazel L. Baron, Mary Catherine B. Cabardo, Rachel R. Cabriles, Katherine U. Callanta, Ryanne Dee A. Dacanay, Nasalyn M. Espinosa, Jewel Emmanuelle C. Fortich;

Janice L. Go, Jay Paulo V. Gochangco, Ma. Merlinda L. Gutierrez, Margaret C. Lu, Mia R. Magale, Josephus George S. Mercado, Julie Mc–Coo T. Murillo, Joanie A. Oliverio, Jay Randolph B. Onting, Dorothy Mae U. Perez;

Grace N. Pintoy, Ephrem M. Pieras, Clyde Marx O. Quimco, Rusianne Emily A. Reyes, Stanley C. Sabara, Helian Sharee Anne D. Sale, Lestie Suzanne E. Sanchez, Mel Charrene D. Subla, Jomarie L.S. Supera, Ahdyfe L. Taliman, Liezel T. Toremotcha, Jecel A. Wong, Maria Jeselle C. Yap, and Tahnee Cheska L. Yap.

Author: P. J. Lim
09 / July / 2007

USC stages Power Run

USC stages Power Run

The University of San Carlos will stage a marathon dubbed Power Run on July 29, 2007 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. The event will have three–, five–, and ten–kilometer races and is co–presented by radio station Power FM 89.1, which is operated by the Word Broadcasting Corporation and based at the USC Main Campus.

The marathon will benefit a program for street children run by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), the religious order that administers both USC and Word Broadcasting Corporation. Recovery House, a rehabilitation center for illegal drugs dependents, is another beneficiary of the event.

USC Vice President for Finance Fr. Vicente L. Uy, SVD, who also serves as Athletics Director, revealed in a press conference held at Parklane Hotel that 5,000 runners are expected to participate in the event. Students undertaking the National Service Training Program (NSTP) will be asked to join the marathon, which will have men’s and women’s open categories and an all–USC class.

The race will be supervised by Sports and Fitness Enthusiasts (SAFE) and the registration fee is P150, while high school and elementary students will be assessed P75 and P50, respectively. Participants can register at the Philippine Sports Commission Region VII, Power FM 89.1 radio station, or at the USC Athletics Office. USC students can register at the office of the Department of Physical Education.

Author: Staff
05 / July / 2007

USC to host Pharmacy board exam

USC to host Pharmacy board exam

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) recently announced the holding of the Pharmacist Licensure Examination in Cebu City at the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus on July 2-3, 2007.

This announcement was made in a letter dated today, June 27, from Atty. Dan V. Malayang, the officer in-charge of the PRC Cebu Regional Office.

The licensure examination spanning the two days will be held at the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) Building in the following rooms: 101, 102, 103, 104, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 302, and 303.

In a separate memorandum, USC Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Teodoro P. Gapuz, SVD, M.A. announced that all classes held at the CAFA Building will be suspended on the said dates.

Author: P. J. Lim
27 / June / 2007

German Ambassador to lecture in USC

German Ambassador to lecture in USC

His Excellency, Axel Weishaupt, Ambassador of Germany to the Philippines will give a distinguished lecture on the “Comparative Study of Philippine and German Law on Succession” on June 29, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Theodore Buttenbruch Hall, Main Campus.

Ambassador Weishaupt will give this First Distinguished Lecture, Series of 2007, which is organized by the Philippine Supreme Court through its Knowledge Sharing Committee and the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA), in cooperation with the University of San Carlos College of Law.

Members of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, will be in attendance, together with the judges of the Court of Appeals, Regional Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts in Cebu City. To also grace the affair are members of the USC Cabinet headed by University President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD and the academic community led by the Dean of the College of Law, Atty. Alex L. Monteclar.

Author: J. J. Largo
27 / June / 2007